Red-ruffed Lemur

NAME:

Red-ruffed Lemur

ZOO NAME:

Joplin, Horst, Dweezil, Harley & Hedy

CLASS:

Mammalia

GENUS:

Varecia

SPECIES:

V. rubra

LENGTH:

22-24” with 24” tail

WEIGHT:

7-9 lbs.

LIFESPAN:

25 yrs (captivity); 15-20 yrs (wild)

DIET:

Fruit, nectar, pollen, leaves, seeds & shoots

PREDATORS:

Fossa, Man

RANGE

Madagascar (Masoala Peninsula only)

HABITAT

Rainforest

CHARACTERISTICS

Red Ruffed Lemurs are thought to have no color vision. Like all Old World primates, lemurs have non-prehensile tails (cannot grasp). Lemurs are the most primitive of all primates. Females are slightly larger then males. Both sexes have a rust-colored ruff and body with a black head, stomach, tail, and feet. Red Ruffed Lemurs have a white patch on the back of their necks and may also have white markings on their feet and mouth.

BEHAVIOR

Red Ruffed Lemurs are most active at dawn and dusk, but are awake for the greater part of the day. They live in small matriarchal groups of 2-16, but group sizes of up to 32 animals have been recorded. They have 12 different calls, which are recognized by other Red Ruffed Lemurs. In captivity, these calls are also recognized by their relatives, the Black & White Ruffed Lemurs, although in the wild, these animals are geographically separated. Scent-marking is also an important means of communication for all species of lemur.

REPRODUCTION

Red Ruffed Lemurs produce 1-6 young (most commonly 3) after 100 days of gestation. Unlike other diurnal primates, females build nests above the forest floor made of twigs, leaves, vines, and fur. Females leave them in the nest until they are 7 weeks old. It is estimated that 65% of young do not reach 3 months of age, and often die by falling from the trees.

THREATS

ALL lemurs are threatened or endangered.